Counting Rejections

I just realized getting a book published is exactly like courting someone. First there is the inevitable rejection after rejection. When you encounter 'the one', the first dates are awkward. Things smooth over as you both realize you have something to offer (a good book). Then one of you decides the other person is a project (the agent/publishing company), and starts changing things about you until you to better fit their standards (of title, number of words, pages). The fruits of your joint labor are the result of much work and enjoyment (writing), and you spend time polishing/raising your labor until it is ready to go out into the world. Then all you can do is let you're work run free and hope it supports you later in life.

So its like marriage, only without sex.

In any case, today I hit a landmark Eleven Form Rejections. I see now why many authors decide to drink. Sure you expect it, but at some point its going to start bothering you. Like the debtor trying to get its $258 for the credit card you cut up after the visit to adult store where you bought the purple silk... Umm...

The point is, it gives some power to that voice in the back of your mind that's always there. You know the one, always telling you what a stupid idea anything you think of is going to be. Sometimes, the voice that tells you to burn things can get it to shut up, but when you see your eleventh rejection, it gets drowned out. I am glad I am somewhat bull-headed (or so my ex might say).

Time to assemble a D&D group again. Yes, I admit I play old fashioned D&D with dice and paper and pencils. If Penny Arcade, PvP, and Vin Diesel can play, so can I. Exercising your creativity is important when your a writer, and a child, and D&D gives you the ability to do that (and also to use a plus +12 Sword of Awesomeness to slay the Dragon of Lunch Money Stealing and his Zombie Breakdancing Minions). If your looking for a fun family activity for your kids, I highly recommend D&D.

I am also going to start a runny tally at the bottom of each blog post with the number of rejections, right under Link Lunacy. If you an aspiring author and get a lower number of rejections than I do, email me so I know what the heck I did wrong.

Link Lunacy!
- Stories that are too awesome, even for Chuck Norris!
- The best American anime ever done, with  Samuel L. Jackson.
- Funny Pic of the Day:


Always think things through.



Number of Rejections (so far): 11